Things to Do in Chamonix

Situated in the in the south-east of France, Chamonix is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and is considered to be a mountain mecca. The town located amidst the snow capped The Alps offers a wide range of activities including relaxing activities like sightseeing, shopping and fine dining to adrenaline pumping outdoor adventure sports. The town is also home to one of the most spectacular sights of Mont-Blanc which is the highest peak of the Alps and a major attraction in the area.

The scenic beauty and picturesque landscape of Chamonix are not all that there is to this town. The best way to get a complete experience of everything the town as to offer, is by taking part in some of the best things to do in Chamonix, the most significant of which are the outdoor activities and sports like archery, basketball, bungee jumping, bowling, Canoeing, Kayaking, cycling, fishing, glacier walking, golf, ice skating, hot air balloon rides, indoor and outdoor climbing, hiking, skiing, paragliding, skydiving, swimming and much more. For the ones interested in the traditions and customs of the Alps can head to one of the many museums in Chamonix like Maison de la Memoire et du Patrimoine, Alpine Museum and the Montagnard Museum. For those who want to be up close and personal with nature can head to one of the many nature reserves and parks, the most significant of which are the Aiguille Rouge Nature Reserve and the Parc de Merlet. The city offers many great stores that offer a great shopping experience offering everything from sports stores, fashionable clothing stores to shops selling traditional mountain goods. One of the top things to do when in Chamonix is to head for a luxurious day at the spa and book a massage for a refreshing and rejuvenating experience. Chamonix is no less than a paradise and the serenity and tranquillity of the town should be experienced at least once.

Can't wait to discover Chamonix by yourself? Create an itinerary for Chamonix today! Ranked on popularity, here's the complete list of best Chamonix attractions and point of interests recommended by the locals.

The Aiguille de Midi is a mountain in the Mont Blanc massif in the Alps. It has an elevation of around 3842 meters. A must visit for hardcore mountaineers and trekkers, the mountain can also be conquered via a ride in the cable car! The view from the top is spectacular. Plan de l’Aiguille (2,354m) is a mid station of the Aiguille du Midi cabl...

On the way to the Mer de Glace lies the ‘Vallee Blanche’ point. It is a famous off-piste skiing spot. The ski route is around 20 kms. long with a vertical descent of about 2700 m. It is an unmarked, unmaintained, unpatrolled and unchecked high mountain off-piste ski spot which offers the most spectacular views of the Mont Blanc range. The route is recommended only for advance skiers.

Situated in the former Chamonix Palace, the Alpine Museum is a must visit for history buffs. It has detailed history of Chamonix- right from the first tourists who visited Chamonix to the age of winter sports. Spread across two floors, there is an interesting range of exhibits covering the geological and human history of Chamonix.

Situated around 2 kms away from the city centre of Chamonix, Lake Gaillands is a small but beautiful lake at the foot of Mont Blanc. Surrounded by lush green forest, this is an ideal place to picnic while in Chamonix. There are also a few adventure activities around the lake, like rock climbing and zip lining.

For the thrill seeking, tree climbing, zip lining adventure junkie in you! The Accro Park in Chamonix claims to be the best tree adventure park in Chamonix Valley. From kids to adults, they have adventure packages for everybody. Definitely a fun way to enjoy your holiday.

The Mer de Glace is the largest glacier in France. Spread across 7 kms., the glacier is around 200 meters deep. A perfectly adventurous skiing spot, thousands of skiers follow the glacier down to the Montenvers Railway station after skiing the famous ‘Vallee Blanche’. Attractions at the Mer de Glace include the Ice Cave, the Temple de la Nature and the Glaciorum.

Brevent is a mountain in France. From Chamonix city, one takes the gondola lift to Plan Praz at 1999 m. and from there, the cable car to Le Brevent which is situated at an elevation of 2525 m. The Plan Praz is the departure point for excursions to Lake Cornu, and Grand Balcon Sud. It also has a take-off area for paragliding. From the top of Le Brev...

The Tramway du Mont Blanc or the Mont Blanc Tramway is a mountain railway in France. It is the highest railway line in France and one of the highest in Europe as well. The magnificent view of Mont Blanc that the tram route offers makes this journey very popular with the tourists. Inaugurated in 1909, the Mont Blanc Tramway is one of the oldest mechanical uphill rides in the valley.

Lac (Lake) Blanc is a beautiful and serene lake in the Mont Blanc massif. The lake is situated at the height of 2352m. It is a great place to enjoy the view of the Mont Blanc. From the Chamonix town centre, it takes a hike of about 4 hours. From the Flegere / Index lift, it takes about 2 hours to hike up to the lake. You will find facilities and re...

An open sanctuary for mountain animals, hike into the Merlet Animal Park to explore the animals in their natural habitat. Spread across 21 hectares, the park is situated at an altitude of 1,563m above the Chamonix valley. It was established in the year 1968. The Merlet Park shelters more than 80 mountain animals. The animals include Ibex, Chamois, ...

A perfect blend of mountaineering and leisure! The Espace Tairraz is a technological marvel. It has the world’s first ever mountaineering simulator. One can organize personalized expeditions and even scale up famous mountain faces by using the simulator. Enjoy the mountaineering experience without taking risks! One can learn about mountaineer...

Are you a dog lover? Then this is one place near Chamonix that you must visit! A native to the Alps, Saint Bernards are a rare pedigree. While visiting the Merlet Animal Centre, on the way, do visit the Saint Bernard Breeding centre situated between Servoz and Les Houche.